With the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, United Fresh is moving its upcoming show from an in-person event in June in San Diego CA to a free virtual event called “United Fresh LIVE!” that will connect customers, suppliers and colleagues across the country.
“During these past few weeks, we’ve all learned something about connections,” said Tom Stenzel, United Fresh president and CEO. “While we can’t wait to join with industry friends again in person, we’ve also realized that we’re connecting today in new ways. We’re all online, with video streaming, face-to-face chats, and group interactions that, just a month ago, we didn’t know how to do.
Michael Muzyk, president of Baldor Specialty Foods, and chairman of the United Fresh board of directors, call the new online event an “innovative solution to an unprecedented challenge” caused by the social-distancing guidelines adopted across the country in an effort to “flatten the curve” on COVID-19.
“Businesses across the supply chain are clamoring for information and connections,” Muzyk said. “As we’ve learned to adopt online platforms to conduct our daily business, offering this free virtual event broadens our opportunity to deliver real value to thousands of industry members at a time when they need it most.”
United Fresh LIVE! 2020 will debut the week of June 15 and feature live keynote presentations, roundtable discussion groups, networking interaction among different communities, and a robust expo floor where exhibitors and attendees can share information, view videos and other content, chat live, and make the same connections one would at an in-person event.
“In the coming days, United Fresh will be working with our exhibitors and sponsors to build out our virtual platform that delivers live experiences, valuable content and new connections to industry members around the world,” said Danny Dumas, senior vice president at Del Monte Fresh Produce, and chairman-elect of United Fresh. “United Fresh LIVE! is a testament to the quick-pivot thinking to ensure that our industry can continue to gather and thrive, even in these unprecedented times.”
United Fresh LIVE! will debut at www.unitedfreshlive.org, with preliminary information and sneak peaks in the coming weeks. To stay informed, subscribe to United Fresh LIVE! to ensure announcements are delivered to your inbox.